Iran describes N-talks as positive

The Foreign Ministry Deputy for International Affairs said the two-day talks were constructive and both sides involved in the negotiations focused on details during their discussions, the Iranian official IRNA news agency reported Jan. 25.

He said Iran used the chance of World Economic Forum in Davos to conduct talks.

Noting that deputies too exchanged views alongside the foreign ministerial level negotiations in the past two days, he referred to meetings with the US delegation as well as the European Union representative Helga Schmid as cases of the bilateral and trilateral meetings Iran had there.

He said experts from negotiating parties also indulged in debates.

He said important issues like nuclear enrichment and sanctions were elaborated upon during the talks.

However, he added, discussing these issues in detail never meant a final, definite agreement.

He said that at the present juncture both details and the overall scheme of plans had to be taken into consideration so that all issues are clear and parties have the chance to make a conclusive decision.

Despite differences, which he said are quite natural to occur, Araqchi expressed hope that views of both parties get gradually closer to each other.

Noting that talks are now in a very complicated stage, he said the issue is not anticipated to settle immediately.

He said the sides engaged in talks with Iran are quite frank in their efforts.

About his talks with Europeans over the weekend, the foreign ministry deputy hoped that issues discussed with Americans could be reviewed with the European officials in more details.

He said Iran is planning meetings with Russian and Chinese experts as well.

Noting that exchange of views and delegations with Russia and China are more frequent and steady, Araqchi said Iran will have meetings with delegations from these two countries in the interval of negotiations with the European states.

As for the security meeting in Munich next month, Araqchi said it is also a chance for the ministers of the P5+1 countries to hold a session.

The session is not fixed yet, he said, adding that all parties share the same positive opinion about the need to hold such a meeting.

Iranian and US nuclear negotiators began the second day of their talks in the Swiss city of Zurich on Jan. 24 represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi heading the Iranian side and his US counterpart Wendy Sherman leading the opposite side.

Araqchi and Sherman held a five-hour discussion on Jan. 23 exchanging views on remaining issues including the number of Iran's centrifuges and the pace of lifting the anti-Iranian sanctions.